Underwater ambient pressure viewing tunnel system

ABSTRACT

An aspect of the present invention addresses how to achieve a simple structure, easy and economical to build, that will permit any person, without training or specialized technical equipment, to have direct contact with the underwater environment. In one embodiment, an underwater observation tunnel is provided which operates at ambient pressure, composed of modular sections of a semicircular structure, with transparent molded panels, joined to each other, and with an elevator to transport users from the surface of the water to the operating depth. Air is pumped in a continuous manner through tubes which run along the length of the structure, thus creating an air-filled corridor, where any person can breathe normally, move freely, and observe the underwater environment. The tunnel can be installed and used in any body of water, for purposes of recreational and scientific observation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present continuation-in-part patent application claims prioritybenefit under 35 U.S.C. 120 and 365(c) of the PCT international patentapplication designating the U.S. No. PCT/MX 03/00092 on Oct. 30, 2003titled “Underwater Ambient Pressure Viewing Tunnel”, which intern claimspriority benefit of Mexican patent application number YU/a/2002/000002filed on Oct. 31, 2002 and titled the same.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to structures utilized for theobservation of underwater environments. More particularly, the inventionrelates to underwater structures that safely contain and life-supportmany people so that they may view underwater environments without anyspecialized equipment or training.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For quite some time independent diving has been the most popular methodfor accessing and viewing the underwater world, its practice impliesarduous training and the utilization of a considerable quantity ofspecialized equipment, thus limiting it to a relatively small number ofpeople. Recently new diving equipment with air hoses to the surface andthe use of special helmets have permitted a larger number of people toparticipate in underwater viewing practices; it is nevertheless stillnecessary, although on a smaller scale, to instruct the user and utilizespecialized equipment for the immersion. Underwater tunnels have alsobeen built, equipped with windows with which to view the underwaterenvironment, but they are immovable and operate at atmospheric pressureand therefore incur extremely high construction costs; in addition theirusers do not have a true interaction with the observed environment.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved underwaterstructures that safely contain and life-support many people so that theymay view underwater environments without requiring any specializedequipment or training.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a semicircular modularstructure section of the underwater ambient pressure viewing tunnel, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of an elevator structure forthe underwater ambient pressure viewing tunnel of FIG. 1, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The Figure further shows acircular area A, which is magnified in more detail in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the top portion of the elevatorstructure in FIG. 2, further showing the details of area (A), inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an underwater ambient pressure viewingtunnel with a rectangular run, showing the modular sections and theelevator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a transverse view of a semicircular modular structuresection of the underwater ambient pressure viewing tunnel, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 a side perspective view of the framework and guides of theelevator, as well as the joining point of the latter with the underwaterambient pressure viewing tunnel, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, a variety of techniques to achieve anunderwater ambient pressure viewing tunnel system are described.

An aspect of the present invention addresses how to achieve a simplestructure, easy and economical to build, that will permit any person,without training or specialized technical equipment, to have directcontact with the underwater environment.

In one embodiment, a solution to the problem is an underwaterobservation tunnel which operates at ambient pressure, composed ofmodular sections of a semicircular structure, with transparent moldedpanels, joined to each other, and with an elevator to transport usersfrom the surface of the water to the operating depth. Utilizingcompressors, air is pumped in a continuous manner through tubes whichrun along the length of the structure, thus displacing the water in itsinterior, forming a bubble of compressed air at the same pressure asthat of the environment surrounding the tunnel, thus creating anair-filled corridor, where any person can breathe normally, move freely,and observe the underwater environment. The tunnel can be installed andused in any body of water, for purposes of recreational and scientificobservation.

Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention willbecome more apparent and be more readily understood from the followingdetailed description, which should be read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments.

The Underwater Ambient Pressure Viewing Tunnel described herein, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, will permit agreat number of people to participate safely in activities ofobservation of the underwater environment, experiencing a trueinteraction with the same, without requiring any training whatsoever, orthe use of specialized technical equipment.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a semicircular modularstructure section of the underwater ambient pressure viewing tunnel, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in theFigure, the present embodiment is similar to a tunnel installedunderwater, within which users can breathe normally, swim, and observethe underwater environment, maintaining a true and direct contact withthe same, this being possible due to the fact that a bubble of air atambient pressure forms within the tunnel.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of an elevator structure forthe underwater ambient pressure viewing tunnel of FIG. 1, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The Figure further shows acircular area A, which is magnified in more detail in FIG. 3. The Tunnelis comprised of several modular sections of a semicircular structure(1), joined to each other, fixed and/or anchored underwater at aspecific depth, and an elevator (7), designed to transport the usersfrom the water's surface to the depth of the operation of the tunnel,and to function as a joining point for the two ends of the Tunnel.

The number of semicircular modular structure sections (1) which willmake up the tunnel, the joining points between the latter, theirdimensions and forms will vary according to the desired view of theparticular underwater environment; the materials to be employed in theirconstruction will vary as well depending on the same variables.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an underwater ambient pressure viewingtunnel (15) with a rectangular run, showing the modular sections (1) andthe elevator (7), in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The semicircular modular structure sections (1) can beconstructed of metal, fiberglass, plastic, or any material capable ofproviding the necessary strength and durability.

FIG. 5 illustrates a transverse view of a semicircular modular structuresection of the underwater ambient pressure viewing tunnel, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The modular sections of thetunnel are composed of semicircular arcs (3) joined at the tops and atthe sides by support bars (2) (not shown, see FIG. 1), to the windowsthat are formed in the semicircle are attached transparent panels ofmaterials such as acrylic or polycarbonate molded to the form of thetunnel (5), which also serve to hermetically seal the top part of thetunnel, thus preventing air loss and simultaneously forming theobservation windows; the bottom part of the structure is open, it isequipped with a perforated tube on one of its sides (4) and withhandrails on both sides (6).

To the semicircular modular structure sections which will connect to theelevator will be added, at the ends which have contact with the same, atop (19) to prevent the loss of air from the tunnel, this will becomposed of structural bars and transparent panels of materials such asacrylic or polycarbonate.

The tunnel composed by these modular structures is fixed underwater at aspecific depth, the means of fixing and/or anchoring the tunnelunderwater depending on the specific conditions of the environment whereit will be installed; once in place, utilizing compressors, air ispumped into it continuously through a feeder hose which is connected tothe tubes running along the length of the structure (4), said tubes areperforated along their length (21) to permit air to enter the tunnel ina uniform manner.

The air introduced to the tunnel displaces the water in its interior,thus forming a bubble of compressed air at the same pressure as that ofthe environment which surrounds the tunnel, this forms a corridor withair, where the users can breathe normally, breathe freely, and at thesame time observe the underwater environment through the windows oftransparent material which form the sides of the tunnel. The flow of airpumped to the tunnel is continuous in order to guarantee that this airwill at all times be appropriate for breathing, the excess air willsimply escape through the bottom of the tunnel.

The tunnel is also equipped with additional bars which run along thelength of the bottom of the structure, at the level of the waterline,which serve as handrails to facilitate the movement of the users withinthe tunnel.

Access to the interior of the tunnel is by means of an elevatorspecially designed for this purpose (7), operating with compressed air,which takes the users from the surface of the water to the depth ofoperation of the tunnel. The elevator consists of a welded metalframework (8) which has on its top a structure identical to the modulartunnel structures, to which are added lids at the ends to prevent airloss; these consist of structural bars (11) and transparent flat panels(12). The elevator also has a floor (9) on which the users can stand,and a metal basket on its bottom (10).

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the top portion of the elevatorstructure in FIG. 2, further showing the details of area (A), inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The vertical movement of the elevator through the water is achieved bychanging the volume of the air bubble contained in the upper part of thesame. In the metal basket at the bottom are counterweights whose purposeis to offset the flotation created by the air in the upper part of thesame, thus achieving a slow and gradual movement.

Utilizing a compressor the elevator receives, by means of a hose (20)and a fill valve (13), a continuous controlled flow of air, this isdistributed within the same in the same manner in which air isdistributed in the modular sections of the tunnel; the flow iscontinuous to supply the elevator the necessary flotation to rise and toguarantee the quality of the air which the users breathe.

The volume of the bubble of air which forms in the upper part of theelevator will be responsible for the vertical movement of the same, at agreater volume of the bubble the elevator will rise, at a lower volumeit will descend, this volume is controlled by a bleeder tube (14), bymeans of this tube it is possible to release air from the elevator,modifying the volume of the bubble, thus precisely controlling itsmovement.

In this manner as the amount of air in the elevator diminishes, itdescends, carrying its passengers below the water where it joins theobservation tunnel, serving also as a link between the entry and exitpoints of the tunnel run; as the amount of air in the elevator increasesit will rise from the depth at which at which the tunnel is installed tothe surface of the water.

FIG. 6 a side perspective view of the framework and guides of theelevator, as well as the joining point of the latter with the underwaterambient pressure viewing tunnel, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The elevator is equipped at its four ends with guides(16) fixed in a framework (22) which run from the surface of the water(17) to the bottom of the location where the structure of the tunnel isinstalled (18) to ensure its exact alignment and linkage with the same.

From all the aforesaid it can be affirmed that the characteristics ofthe underwater ambient pressure observation tunnel are unique andexclusive to the same, as they have not been achieved by any othersimilar artifact in existence.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods to achieve an underwater ambientpressure viewing tunnel system according to the present invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has beendescribed above by way of illustration, and the specific embodimentsdisclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particularforms disclosed. The invention is thus to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of thefollowing claims.

1. An Underwater Ambient Pressure Observation Tunnel comprising: modularsections of a semicircular structure joined to each other, formed byarcs joined at the tops and sides by support bars, these elementsconform the framework of the semicircular structure, giving it its formand rigidity, to the hollow spaces formed within the semicircle areattached transparent panels molded to the form of a tunnel, whichhermetically seal off the top of the same, thus preventing loss of airand simultaneously forming the observation windows; the bottom part ofthe structure is open, and has along its sides bars which run along thelength of the structure, which serve as handrails to facilitate themovement of the persons inside the tunnel; to the semicircular modularstructure sections which form the ends of the tunnel will be added acover composed of structural bars and flat transparent panels to preventthe loss of air from the tunnel.
 2. The Underwater Observation Tunnel ofclaim 1, further comprising an air distribution system, which iscomprised of a feeder hose and perforated distribution tubes which runalong the whole of the length of the perimeter of the tunnel.
 3. TheUnderwater Observation Tunnel of claim 1, further comprising an elevatorformed by a framework of welded metal, which framework has at joined toits upper section the modular sections of the tunnel claim 1, to whichare added caps at the ends to prevent the loss of air, composed ofstructural bars and flat transparent panels, the elevator also beingequipped with a floor on which the passengers can stand, and with ametal basket on its bottom in which to install counterweights, theelevator being further being equipped with a fill valve and a bleedertube with which the elevator is operated as they are used to control theamount of air within the same, the elevator being further equipped witha framework having guides at its ends that are operable to align andjoin the elevator with the tunnel.
 4. The Underwater Observation Tunnelof claim 1, further comprising a compressor by which the elevatorreceives a continuous controlled flow of air, which is distributedwithin the same, the flow is continuous in order to supply the elevatorwith the flotation necessary to rise and to guarantee the quality of theair breathed by the users.
 5. The Underwater Observation Tunnel of claim3, wherein the volume of the air bubble formed in the upper part of theelevator is be responsible for the vertical movement of the same, at ahigher volume of the bubble the elevator will rise, at a lower volumethe latter will descend, this volume is controlled by the bleeder tube,by means of this tube the air can be evacuated from the elevator,modifying the volume of the bubble, in this way controlling its movementin a precise manner.
 6. A method of operating an underwater ambientpressure observation tunnel, the method comprising steps of: Fixing atunnel underwater at a specific depth; Pumping a continuous flow of airthrough a feeder hose connected to perforated tubes which run the lengthof the tunnel, wherein the air introduced into the tunnel displaces thewater in its interior, thus creating a bubble of air at the sameatmospheric pressure as that of the environment which surrounds thetunnel, thus creating an air-filled corridor, whereby the flow of airpumped to the tunnel is continuous so that the air is at all timesappropriate for breathing, and excess air escapes through the bottom ofthe tunnel.
 7. An Underwater Ambient Pressure Observation Tunnelcomprising: means for providing a tunnel for underwater ambient pressureobservation by users; and an air distribution means for pressurizing thetunnel with air.
 8. The Underwater Observation Tunnel of claim 7,further comprising: means for elevating users to and from said tunnel;means for controlling the amount of air within said elevating means; andmeans for aligning and joining said elevating means with the tunnel. 9.The Underwater Observation Tunnel of claim 8, further comprising meanscontrolling the vertical movement of said elevating means.